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While I agree with all of this, to my recollection Abbott’s decisions were not guided by his faith. And neither were the Catholic Keating’s.

On the contrary. Abbott was a disciple of the swivel-eyed far-right-preaching DLP Bob Santamaria. Coming from the same school of thought that brought the right-wing Catholics who supported fascism in the 1930's and railed against the reds-under-the-beds in the 1950's. Whiter and more fervent than Menzies!

Abbott's thoughts and policies are very much guided by this doctrine. All his policies, from virulent opposition to SSM to reintroduction of (expensive and unnecessary) chaplains in public schools, stem from his religious indoctrination.

And yes, as far as I'm aware, Keating did not let his Catholicism drive or override his policies. I don't think Hawke accused him of bible-bashing when he engineered taking over the top job from him. Plenty else, but not religion.

__________________...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015

An announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the midst of the byelection that he would consider moving the Australian embassy to Jerusalem exposed the first signs of tension between the former PM and his successor. The move was designed to appeal to the large Jewish minority in the seat of Wentworth.

Mr Morrison sent Mr Turnbull as the Australian envoy to an Indonesian oceans summit last week, where he discussed the issue with the leader of the Muslim-majority country Joko Widodo, along with other trade issues.

His comments that Indonesia was unhappy with the proposal earned him a public rebuke from Mr Morrison, who said Mr Turnbull should keep out of politics and would not be representing Australia at any more international meetings.

So Morrison sends Turnbull as an envoy to the summit, but when he comes back with info that Indonesia is not happy, Morrison spits the dummy and says Turnbull should shut up?

Trivial in some ways, but symbomatic of Morrison is his “thanks for your service” campaign. Virgin has just been bullied by News Ltd into giving veterans priority boarding on flights as well as a salute. I’m not joking.

Virgin Australia will also offer military veterans priority boarding and acknowledge their service during in-flight announcements

Cringeworthy and something I think most veterans will not take up.

Qantas is now being asked to match this. This is laughable to anyone who is a frequent flyer. While Virgin at least has priority queues they strictly police, Qantas boarding is a shambles, with the highest priority passengers jostling in the one queue along with everyone else.

The point that needs to be made is, why are veterans singled out and not police and emergency workers? Paramedics? Nurses? Aged Care workers? Cyclists? Vegans? The Easily Offended?

Alright the last few might be a bit of a stretch, but what an empty, pointless gesture this is. A bit like Morrison I suppose.

__________________A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.

Trivial in some ways, but symbomatic of Morrison is his “thanks for your service” campaign. Virgin has just been bullied by News Ltd into giving veterans priority boarding on flights as well as a salute. I’m not joking.

Qantas is now being asked to match this. This is laughable to anyone who is a frequent flyer. While Virgin at least has priority queues they strictly police, Qantas boarding is a shambles, with the highest priority passengers jostling in the one queue along with everyone else.

The point that needs to be made is, why are veterans singled out and not police and emergency workers? Paramedics? Nurses? Aged Care workers? Cyclists? Vegans? The Easily Offended?

Alright the last few might be a bit of a stretch, but what an empty, pointless gesture this is. A bit like Morrison I suppose.

I gather the veterans associations are telling Virgin to stop being so silly.

__________________...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015

“We are very mindful of the response that our announcement about recognising people who have served in defence has had today. It was a gesture genuinely done to pay respects to those who have served our country. Over the coming months, we will consult with community groups and our own team members who have served in defence to determine the best way forward. If this process determines that public acknowledgement of their service through optional priority boarding or any announcement is not appropriate, then we will certainly be respectful of that.”

I would have thought a call to the RSL would have done the trick. It just shows how easily companies can be bullied by News Ltd and populist politicians.

__________________A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.

Some noises on Sky News being made earlier today about potentially different dates for the House and Senate elections. (Sources not clear) What with all the by-elections due to Sec. 42 (44?), and the Victorian and N.S.W. State elections coming up, this idea should go down like a lead balloon. The voters would tear the Libs to bits.

Some noises on Sky News being made earlier today about potentially different dates for the House and Senate elections. (Sources not clear) What with all the by-elections due to Sec. 42 (44?), and the Victorian and N.S.W. State elections coming up, this idea should go down like a lead balloon. The voters would tear the Libs to bits.

Norm

Jointly AND severally.

__________________...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015

Labor has pulled further in front of the Coalition in the national political contest, and voter disapproval of Scott Morrison has jumped by nine points in a month, according to the latest Guardian Essential poll.

The latest survey of 1,028 voters puts Labor ahead of the Coalition 54% to 46% on the two-party-preferred measure, compared with 53% to 47% a fortnight ago – a result that would give Bill Shorten an easy election win.

More voters (41%) approve of Morrison’s performance as prime minister than disapprove (37%), but disapproval has risen from 28% in October, a shift outside the poll’s margin of error which is plus or minus 3%.

Morrison’s net approval rating has been in positive territory since he took the Liberal leadership in bitterly contested circumstances, suggesting voters have been willing to indulge his opening pitch, but the result this fortnight means the prime minister’s rating has slipped from +15 to +4.

The Labor leader, Bill Shorten, has recorded a five-point increase in his approval rating over the month (33% to 38%) and his disapproval is down one point to 44%. Shorten’s net approval rating remains in negative territory, but there has been an improvement from -12 to -6.

Morrison remains ahead of Shorten as preferred prime minister 41% to 29%, a similar result to a month ago, where Morrison was ahead 42% to 27%.

__________________Self-described nerd.

My mom told me she tries never to make fun of people for not knowing something.
- Randall Munroe

He will get one vote - himself. And hopefully the big loudmouth will rapidly fade from public life.

__________________...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015

He will get one vote - himself. And hopefully the big loudmouth will rapidly fade from public life.

The scary thing is that his name will get votes and ON will get LNP preferences. Remember Fred Nile was a NSW MP for many years. Latham might get up. Certifiable morons (I can name dozens) have been elected before

Mark should fit in quite well with Pauline I think. Do we all remember the events of 2006? Just a small extract:

Quote:

The following day, Latham appeared to drive towards a Channel 7 television cameraman at his Sydney home. The photographer was unhurt but Seven's head of news in Sydney, Chris Willis, said the footage clearly showed Latham's car veer toward the cameraman as he stood on the side of the road.[32] In February 2006, Latham was charged with assault, malicious damage and theft in relation to the incident.

Pauline could always give Mark some training on how to run a fish and chips shop, should his political ambitions come to nought.

Scott Morrison eats meat pies and is "fair dinkum". What more could we ask of a PM?

Quote:

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is on a tour of Queensland, and his sales pitch to voters is that he's a "fair dinkum" bloke.

LEIGH SALES: Today the Prime Minister ate a pie for the cameras, tweeted a Spotify playlist called Australian Rock, revealed his childhood nickname was ScottyMo, and told an FM radio station where his first pash was.

It's all part of Scott Morrison's tour of Queensland and his sales pitch to voters that he's a fair dinkum bloke.

Scott Morrison eats meat pies and is "fair dinkum". What more could we ask of a PM?

This one? That he goes back to The Shire and disappears down a hobbit-hole.

__________________...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015

Morrison is now calling on religious and spiritual leaders to be more aware of what is going on within their communities. He gives the example of his own Christian church, where apparently:

Quote:

...my pastor knows what’s going on in our church community.

He would know if there was someone, or his wife would know if there was someone leading a local Bible study group or something like that who was teaching things that were not in accordance with what our faith believed.

They’d be pointing that out and they’d be dealing with it because that’s the responsibility of a religious leader, to actually protect the integrity of your faith community.

How on Earth would anyone know that there was a Bible study group being run by someone in their church community IF THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU. Electronic surveillance? Snoop through windows at night? Third-degree light-bulb phonebook Gestapo torture in a dark room?

Seriously, ScoMo! Most other religious communities do NOT work like the tawdry bunch of grifters you hang out with.

__________________...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015

How on Earth would anyone know that there was a Bible study group being run by someone in their church community IF THEY DIDN'T TELL YOU. Electronic surveillance? Snoop through windows at night? Third-degree light-bulb phonebook Gestapo torture in a dark room?

Seriously, ScoMo! Most other religious communities do NOT work like the tawdry bunch of grifters you hang out with.

Would not be too hard to find out. If they advertise for new members then the priest would be reading those advertisements. Or some of his flock would be. Then discuss it with the priest. Of course if it was just close family and friends in the study group, with no outside recruitment, then that could remain hidden. Not to mention spies and loose tongues.

Would not be too hard to find out. If they advertise for new members then the priest would be reading those advertisements. Or some of his flock would be. Then discuss it with the priest. Of course if it was just close family and friends in the study group, with no outside recruitment, then that could remain hidden. Not to mention spies and loose tongues.

Spies?

To catch rogue bible study groups?

"No one ever expects The Spanish Inquisition!"

__________________"A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."

"Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation."

Potential spy - I have sinned Father <details go here>.
Father - I forgive you all of your sins. I will even bless your future activities if you will do me a few small favours. Just tell me about bible study groups you know about. Give me the names of who is running them.
Potential spy - <name> did ask me about if I wanted to join one.
Father - thank you. You have done well. When you hear of more, please let me know.
Potential spy - Yes Father,

Upgrade potential spy to actual spy.

All very simple. The priest gets some information for things he can easily give out.

So the local Christian women's morning coffee club suddenly becomes a subversive anti-pentacostal movement because the head offering-snatcher hasn't been told about it and approved it??

Sounds just like the Liberal Party, doesn't it!

__________________...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015

Small detail. The conversation would then not be in a confessional. I assume priests would give counselling. Could happen during that.

It would be more graceful if you didn't try to dismiss a factual error as a "small detail". After all, you did describe a scene in a confession: Potential spy - I have sinned Father <details go here> etc etc.

__________________"The process by which banks create money is so simple that the mind is repelled. Where something so important is involved, a deeper mystery seems only decent." - Galbraith, 1975

It would be more graceful if you didn't try to dismiss a factual error as a "small detail". After all, you did describe a scene in a confession: Potential spy - I have sinned Father <details go here> etc etc.

That doesn't mean that a non-confessional-sealed conversation wouldn't take place between a pastor and a parishioner. I think you're picking at straws here.

__________________Self-described nerd.

My mom told me she tries never to make fun of people for not knowing something.
- Randall Munroe

Again, you're picking at straws. rjh01's update was a perfectly appropriate response and required no rebuttal.

Thanks.

Edit. Any religious leader of almost any religion could go though something similar. As long as the leader is there is listen and to give advice the potential is there. The leader might not be interested in bible study but something else in which they are interested. Lots of variations.

Edit. Any religious leader of almost any religion could go though something similar. As long as the leader is there is listen and to give advice the potential is there. The leader might not be interested in bible study but something else in which they are interested. Lots of variations.

Right. But as I said, in this case the Horizon Church has thousands of members. It's unlikely that the pastors will know all of their parishioners very well. Morrison was telling porkies.

__________________Self-described nerd.

My mom told me she tries never to make fun of people for not knowing something.
- Randall Munroe

Right. But as I said, in this case the Horizon Church has thousands of members. It's unlikely that the pastors will know all of their parishioners very well. Morrison was telling porkies.

Seeing someone else has conceded, I will do. What you have said would be true. It would take a lot of effort for a priest to find out most of the public bible readings that take place. Or any other event that they might be interested in. Almost no chance of finding out about private events.

This one just feels a bit suspicious to me. These allegations came about two days before the election which makes me wonder if there's an ulterior motive to this.

Having said that, given that all we know about the allegations is that they are "serious" I do hope the accuser goes to the police because ultimately dealing with sexual assault is the responsibility of them, not the Greens leadership body.

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